Campbell River’s less fortunate will receive special deliveries just in time for the holidays.
The Knights of Columbus’ Community Christmas Hamper Fund is back for another year. Families have to apply to receive a hamper.
For over 46 years, the organization has been helping struggling families and individuals throughout Campbell River and surrounding areas.
Hampers are filled with non-perishable food items and gifts for children and seniors. Application forms can be found at the Campbell River Employment and Income Assistance Office on 14th Ave.
Knights’ spokesperson, Kevin Gearey, praises the community for its continued involvement.
“It is really the community from start to finish, immeasurably so. It’s not that we’re bystanders because there is a lot of work to be done. The community is just unbelievable, I don’t know how else to put it,” Gearey said.
This year saw an increase in initial applications, though Gearey believes the recent forestry strike did not have a huge impact.
“We might see an increase now that there are more people out of work. To attribute the increase at the beginning to the logging situation, that would be a bit of a stretch.”
Donations are being accepted at the Hamper Depot at the former True Blue Pet Supplies store in Tyee Plaza. Money, non-perishable food items and new toys can be brought to this location.
The depot is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in November, and in December from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
If you would like to volunteer to help with deliveries, you do not have to formally sign up to do so. Hamper building will start at 8:30 am on December 21st at the depot.
You can help out with that or other tasks in the depot like restocking shelves and getting rid of cardboard and plastic. Alternatively, if you have an SUV or pickup, you can help with the delivery.
For more information on the Hamper Fund, visit this website.
